Postgame notes, Ken Campbell talks Caps-Pens

Ken Campbell of The Hockey News joined tonight's postgame video to assess the Caps' 6-3 win over the Pens:

Yeah, it's just one regular season win. But this was a huge one for the Caps' collective psyche. They desperately needed it to delete all memory of their Game 7 loss in the semifinals last spring.

After tonight's 6-3 triumph, consider it deleted.

Check out my gamer here and Dan Steinberg's sidebar on Jose Theodore's rebound performance here. Then come on back for a few notes and another video from tonight's game:

*First, here's Theodore's postgame presser in which he explains what the heck happened on Sidney Crosby's goal:

*After being held without a shot by the Red Wings on Tuesday, Alex Ovechkin mustered eight tonight -- two of which found the back of the net. But the "two" Ovechkin was most interested in tonight were the points his team earned.

"We have won five in a row and we just want to continue it," he said. "We beat great teams and the last two were in the Stanley Cup. The last game we played [against Detroit was] terrible and we still get the points. But today we started great and we finished great. It's a big sign for us."

"We want to be in that spot where [the Penguins] were last year," the two-time MVP added. "You know, if we want to play, we play great. if we do what coach says, I think nobody can stop us."

*The Caps dominated on faceoffs, winning 62 percent of their draws. That effort was led by Brendan Morrison (8 for 8) and Fleischmann (11 for 16).

*Washington's league-leading power play hasn't been getting many opportunities lately, but the unit is making the most of what few it gets. Tonight, even without Mike Green manning the right point, the power play went 2 for 2 and is 10 for 20 over the past seven games.

Coach Bruce Boudreau called this week a "great test". So far his Caps have knocked off Philly, Detroit and Pittsburgh. But the week isn't done. It will be interesting to see what they do against the upstart Coyotes on Saturday, whether they let up and relax or bear down and stretch their winning streak to six.

You're only as good as the last meeting. Yes you won the Stanley Cup last season. Yes you have won 3 and we have 0--as you never f$%^#%$ing neglect to remind us.

But that was then and this is now. The past is meaningless now...except as a further motivator for our eventual--and inevitable--revenge.

You lost tonight.
To the better team.
Get used to it. It's going to be happening a lot from now on...

I'm not sure whether you're more upset because OV outscored Crysby (again--LMAO), or because the Caps weren't in awe of the Pens for the first 40 minutes as they were against Detroit (whom they also managed to defeat, BTW). Funny how that works, ain't it? Pens got the Cup but the Wings still get more respect--LMAO.

Oh, and Knuble! Fantastic nose for the goal, then, did you catch him move in front of the goalie as soon as the puck went to Ovi? That screen was the assist of the night. No, that would be Semin's -- friggin incredible. And don't forget Flash's beautiful pass to Backstrom to set up his wrap around.

Please, Rhino40, it's idiotic enough to read their crap. Please don't invite them to this thread too. The only reason those jerks hung around the last one was because people engaged their sorry $#**(#*(s

a) I definitely agree about calling out Pens fans or whatever. It's pretty lame, regardless of what they say or do. As the Tragically Hip said "If and when you get into the end-zone, act like you have been there a thousand times before".

b) Semin's pass was amazing and Flash showed some good finish on the breakaway as well.

c) Don't get me wrong, I am pumped that the boys won, but Washington was 3-0-1 against Pitt last season, and we all know how that ultimately turned out. It's great they did it tonight, hopefully (and I truly believe they will) they can do that in April, May or June.

Caps played a great game tonight. Kudos to Theo - even though he gave up two weak goals, he finished strong and gave us the goaltending we needed in the 3rd. And what a game by the PK and PP. Held the pens to 0-4, and went 2-2 when we had the advantage - best special teams play all season!

It was also great to see key goals from the second and third lines - that production is what we need to stay as a top contender. Fantastic game by all the lines tonight!

I'm going to keep gloating about this for a long long time...people scowled me for saying Flash could center the 3rd line, flash who has "no defensive mind" play center? Let alone 2nd line center(this was when BMo was just starting to struggle so he was still 2nd liner)...and yet in the time he has been a center he's been as productive as he was right when he started this season.

He wins faceoffs and rarely has a defensive breakdown. A few games later Locker says he'd make a great center...people scoff...a few games after that BAM Flash is centering Semin and goes on for both of them to score and assist on each other. Guy's got skill

Yes, I thought Theo played a terrific game last night. First, to come back from that bad goal was resilient. Second, while his rebound control could have been better, he still managed to get where the puck was when it mattered.

And you can't put all the rebounds on Theo. Pittsburgh's a team that floods in tight toward the net, thus you can see why they get hard shots that give the goalie only a chance to block rather than smother.

It seems like I am always hearing about how bad the Caps defense is whenever I turn on the tv, but I don't get why I am not hearing more about the Pens lack of D! It was terible (but delicious for us Caps fan)!

Honestly, I was expecting a video of Ted slapping Theo in the face after the game. I do not understand Theo. A great game against the Wings and then 2 super soft goals last night where he almost seems to give up on the play. I can't be the only one that sees this, right?

One important thing about the Caps this season and especially lately is that they know that when they are behind, they have enough firepower to come back. They came back from 3 down two nights in a row a week ago. They came back twice last night. No, we dont' want to make a habit of it, but I really think it helps their confidence when they get behind....which is going to happen. I think that is 5 goal avg. a game the past 10.

- LeTang should of gotten a -2 after getting chumped by Ovie on the first goal.
- In my mind, Crosby was off the scoresheet, and Theo was credited for the first Pens goal
- It was a thing of beauty to see Crosby have a fit after he got plastered by an AHL prospect.
- Brent Johnson looked like a guy we let go for a reason..he may still be a Capital at heart.
- The Fehr to Orpik goal was nice...Orpiks eye's were close to popping out of his head he was so excited
- Backstrom may have damaged the netting on his goal
- I thought Goddard was solid in the 90 seconds of ice time he got...
- If three stars were given out to the player most looking like a monkey, Tyler Kennedy gets the #1 star
- Billy Guerin needs the olympic break to rest his old bones more then any player in the NHL.

Thinking Schultz / Alzner is not an ideal pairing. Are they both good? Yup. But their game is similar - smart, patient, and position-based, with Schultz adding a reach the size of a small pteradactyl. Neither game is particularly aggressive, and they spent some time standing around. Result: They were on the ice for two of the three Pens' goals.

When I say aggressive, I'm not talking about hitting - I'm talking about actively fighting for the puck along the boards, a willingness to be just a bit nasty, a desire for every puck. They're both just a tad too nice. Green / Schultz seems to work as a pairing when he comes back - put Alzner with Pothier or Poti.

Against the Pens, it's up to the D and the backchecking forwards to pick up those rebounds. We gave them too much of the perimeter around the goal -- a perennial issue. Yes, Theo should have steered the first rebound to the corner on the Nick Johnson goal, but the Pens' presence just outside the crease made it near impossible for any goalie to do anything but what Theo did, which was block one after another with his pads.

Getting ready for the playoffs I'd recommend we spend the next three games against the Pens making the adjustments needed to prevent that from happening. We might need personnel adjustments to add extra size and grit too, but you have to expect just that presence from the Pens every time. You can't pin that on any goalie -- the team needs to respond with more bodies, lifted sticks, and checking between the circles.

That second goal was both on Theo and Sloan. Theo was like a sheet of rubber in that second period, it seemed that everything that hit him bounced back to where it came from. Sloan was a statue at the top of the crease (again) on that play.

@SoaringCaps - If he's not the answer, then who is? There must be something seriously wrong with Varly seeing that he has been out for nearly 6 weeks. If he doesn't get better, and even if he does, Theo and Neuvy as our only other options IMO will not get it done in the playoffs. I don't wan't to hear that this may not be our year, and that we need to continue our plan to build a Detroit like dynasty in the future. Our time is NOW. Trade Neuvy or Theo, or both for an established performer who can consistently get it done. Add in someone else if needed. This has to get done...

In regards to revenge...We need to beat them in a series, or win a cup without playng them to get the upper hand back...

But you win every chance you get...so dont let any Pens fans act like it doesnt matter. All those fans that paid that money last night didnt come to see a loss, and so see Crosby go invisible except for the food stamp he was handed by Theo.

Don't forget JSchon, Semin was playing lazy on that pass to Flash. Ovie shot too much, was selfish with the puck and played too recklessly. Carlson and Alzner looked like AHLers not ready for the jump. Why'd we sign Knuble again?

I wish the tv coverage would have been a bit better last night. JB/CL mentioned the clean hit Carlson put on Crybaby (er I mean Crosby) and how Crosby boohooed to the refs for a couple of minutes, but they NEVER showed the hit.

I'm no hockey expert but, after Backstrom scored his goal, he got crosschecked something fierce. Do the ref's typically let that go after a goal is scored? It happened right in front of the ref...Even if Stevie Wonder had on the orange sleeve band, HE couldn't have missed it.

A little help from the more astute puckheads would be appreciated here...

I wouldn't trade Neuvy right now, especially when we don't know if Varly is going to be able to stay healthy for a whole season.

You don't trade the future for winning now, especially when winning now isn't a guarantee (far from it actually). You don't want to turn this franchise into the Blackhawks, where they have one chance to win (this year) and then that's it for them for a while. GMGM didn't build the Caps up that way for a reason. You want as many chances to win the Cup as possible, not a one and done.

IMO the Caps looked like a far better team than the Pens last night. After the 1st period, I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Caps were going to win. I know it was regular season but if I were Mario I would have my guys in the war room trying to figure out what we need at the trade deadline to try to compete.

Not one time last season, even though the Caps went 3-0-1 against the Pens last season, not one time did I feel relaxed during a game against the Pens, no matter how big the lead. Even when the Caps fell behind 3-2, I had the confidence that the Caps would come back. I believe the Caps felt like the better team too. THEY looked confident even when they weren't leading. The Caps will definitely get some help for the playoffs if it is attainable, but they certainly looked good again last night. MAF was out, but besides the big save against Ovi in Game 7, he really has not been a game changer for the Pens against the Caps.

I wish the tv coverage would have been a bit better last night. JB/CL mentioned the clean hit Carlson put on Crybaby (er I mean Crosby) and how Crosby boohooed to the refs for a couple of minutes, but they NEVER showed the hit.

Hats off to the Caps for a convincing win that will no doubt warm the hearts of their fans this midwinter. A quick glance at the board here sees the customary complaints about hits, whining, etc. But it looked to be a clean, well-played game to me -- like playoff hockey with a lot less intensity. (Enforcers? Bah!). Your back-up goalie is much better than our back-up goalie. Ha, ha...

Theo made 35 saves, including several that would have made the game much tighter had he not made them. he botched one with lack of rebound control, but wasn't helped on a second with Sloan being out of position.

why don't all you broken records zip it related to Theo's game right now. he is playing as good as or better than any Caps goalie at any time during this season. seriously pepople, lets at least be somewhat realistic here. are you so simple-minded that you begrudge the Caps the getting the 2 points?? geez

"It was bad enough not having Fleury and 2 other starters in there, but Mike Green being out killed the Pens - they usually rely on his piss-poor defense for at least a couple of points."

To McGoober and the rest of you that can't seem to get off of Mike Green's jock. "2 other starters" missing for the Pens besides MAF were Talbot and Dupuis. Combined they have 12 goals and 14 assists for 26pts and are a -2. Mike Green has 12 goals 38 assists for 50 pts and is a +19. PLUS 19 all of you people that want to continue to say he doesn't play defense. It doesn't matter that he gets points on the PP they don't count for him in the +/-. I know everyone can have an opinion but when ignorant statements like it was Green's best game just tick me off. It should tick any other fans out there that have suffered through "Caps hockey" for decades. We are friggin' lucky to experience Green's career first hand. Mike Green will not be a so called liability in the playoffs this year. I challenge any of you arrogant arm chair GMs and coaches to even go to your cushy offices and perform at 100% with a separated shoulder and mono.

Yesterday's game besides Theo's early gaff was almost a perfect and dominating performance against a team that wanted it as bad as the Caps and there are still people in here making rediculous comments. This was a regular season win but if I was a Pens fan I would be worried because they have NEVER been punked like that by the Caps since the Ovi vs Crosby era started. MAF might close the gap, we'll see on Super Sunday.

Yes it is true that we haven't accomplished anything until we beat the Pens in the playoffs but it doesn't mean we can't be happy about the @ss kickin we gave them last night. Unfortunately the playoffs don't start until April and a lot of things can change then. These 2 points in the grand scheme of things don't really matter a whole lot. I think it would've been far more detrimental to lose this game than the confidence we gained in beating them. They didn't have a full squad and we didn't either. So enjoy it but keep it in perspective. We are a better team now than we were last year in the playoffs. The biggest key I think is we were always the less talented team when facing them in past playoffs and if we were going to beat them we were gonna have to have some luck and out work them. The playing field is far more leveled now. I don't think we're an underdog to anybody in the Eastern Conference at this point if the playoffs started today.

@JSchon - I don't think it's smart to pair two rookie defensemen. Alzner's and Carlson's styles are compatible, and I would like to see them paired in a few years. I just don't think it would work now. They need a veteran presence as partners now.

@JSchon - I don't think it's smart to pair two rookie defensemen. Alzner's and Carlson's styles are compatible, and I would like to see them paired in a few years. I just don't think it would work now. They need a veteran presence as partners now.

Posted by: zmega | January 22, 2010 10:57 AM | Report abuse

You're probably right, but I will say that Pothier, Poti and Carlson are more similar to each other than Alzner.

@TimOz - yes you're right that should've been -2 for whoever leveled Backstrom from behind after he scored.

Sure, refs traditionally let a lot of stuff go around the crease but that was pretty blatant, and it could have been the ref's pick of penalties [from behind, cross-check, late hit- to name a few]. That said, refs are usually loathe to blow the whistle on a team that just got scored on, for something that happened after the play.

But props to Backstrom for going hard to the net - maybe Knuble's contagious.

How about that 2nd line though, I love Flash centering Semin, what a trio!

what i wanted to hear on this one was what OV said to Theo after the goal. OV was being a solid captain encouraging him immediately afterwards and helping the team remain focused yet intent on striking back.

Excellent, excellent win!! I don't care if it's only January. Just really great to see this team play solidly and together on a consistent basis. Everyone looks like they're focused as well as enjoying themselves. For them to continue to be successful, you can't ask for anything else or better.

I didn't see if anyone already mentioned it but what about Malkin's crosscheck on Theo late in the game?? I was not please to see that. Theo wasn't either as evidenced by his shot back and Poti kind of jabbed him as well. I understand why nothing further came of it but it still was quite aggravating to see Malkin take such obnoxious liberties with the goalie.

That along with their #87 and #58 crying their little eyes out all game long made me a bit nauseous. Sometimes one might think that the complaining/hate talk about some of the Penguins players is over the top and a bit much but then you see them in action...